at times we tend to think
our democracy is safely founded and secure
only eventually we recognize
the need to constantly defend its fundamental rights
work steadily against their stealthy abolition
watch carefully the words of politicians
       lest they betray what they pretend to say
think twice for whom we cast our votes
avoid contenders who too often bray
     that these were not their quotes  
listen to those who have good arguments
     do not unleash too easy sentiments
and in the end cast our votes when called

in short  
democracy turns out to be hard work

     in case we shirk this
     we soon pay the price

unfree societies have known
     dictatorship  corruption  vice
have often needed centuries
to remedy injuries done
to find their four freedoms

and to recognize
democracy remains a living promise
a brilliant idea with many faces
always a work in progress

I move
through gently opening embraces
and find myself
firmly enveloped in your luscious warmth
that urges me to push on further
until we reach the moment
  out of time and space
that holds us close
forever and again
  one
in a world of brilliant galaxies
  exploding
in deep space

on an enchanted summer evening
the world feels wonderful and meek

why do I still crave more
     than I can feel and seek

why do I need to go beyond the pastoral
    trust the smooth surface
     of this world
     only for blissful moments

feel almost something like relief
when daily imperfections
crowd me again and throw me hard
into the maelstroem of those obligations
that have accumulated over years
tell me I have matured and know
what all life really is about

but also loudly shout
     I do not know
the meaning of my life

yet I envision in the hour of my death
my last breath will flow easy  
      with no strife

remembering the summer evening
I‘ve spent my life to seek

so wonderful …
      and mild …
            and meek ...

no matter which religion
no matter who you are
      in class or race or otherwise

your only goal in life
     if you are interested in our survival
is to maintain all natural resources on the globe
      fish  fowl  plants  mammals
      even human beings

if we don‘t care
we‘ll not fare well
and go to hell

full stop

She was a modern Red Riding Hood in disguise,
As sly as a fox,
I had flaws too,
I was broke but spent like the rich.
We painted the town red,
Had gala time  in bed.
Suddenly she left without a word,
For me,she was good riddance,
I was knee deep in debt.
Out of the blue she resurfaced with a baby boy,
Claiming the child was mine,
Mother said,"Do the right thing."
So I married her.
Soon she realised I did not lay golden eggs,
Instead I was persued  day and night for money,
She disappeared  leaving the boy with me.
Again mother said,"Do the right thing my son."
So I had the DNA of the boy and mine checked,
It did not match,
I had her tracked,
I left the boy with her together
with the copy of the report.
I could not keep something that was not mine.
When I returned home mum gave me a bundle of notes,
She said,"Do the right thing,
pay me later."
So I paid off my debts.
I work hard and stay within my earnings.

Grief is a tide,
It ebbs and floods,
It never ends,
A matter of heart and soul.
So carry it well,
Balance it,
Hug it.
Let it be a salty tear on your cheek,
A tiny memory in some corner of your heart.
Have Faith,
Grieve it out,
Swallow your anger,
Have no fear,
If possible laugh it away,
Make it your companion,
Then find strength,
To make a path through your grief,
Move forward.

The caterpillar

Does not worry

Where the buttercly

Goes

Pleasure follows Pain
Nothing to Gain
Now Going Completely Insane.